Mike Rose has a very intellectual opinion regarding education. Education is something that we all go through at some point in our lives. Some do not finish high school; some go on to college to obtain a Bachelors Degree or Masters Degree. But is this something that is a necessity? Or is this something that we just assume because of our society and how you are told that you will not succeed in life without a piece of a paper that says you spent $50,000+ over the last 4 years?

According to Mike Rose, “Today, if you do not get a B.A., many people assume it is because you are too dumb or too lazy” (pg.241). This statement could not be anymore true in Syracuse, New York. In Syracuse, students who attend Onondaga Community College are considered to be “lower” or “not as smart” as students at Syracuse University. Syracuse University has an enormous tradition and is known for many successful people. But why because we attend a 2-year institution should we be any “lower” than SU? SUNY OCC should be a stepping-stone and a learning curve for students who want to improve on their studies and move onto a 4-year institution. But do you really need either to be successful in life?

The Hospitality Industry is a tough one, and you really have to stand out in order to move up. But a degree in college is not one that is required in this industry. My own personal experience would be seen in two different directions. Currently the General Manager of The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel that I work at graduated from Onondaga Community College, and transferred to Syracuse University and 30+ years later he is a successful GM nearing retirement. But on the other hand his protégé 32 year old Josh Morris did not graduate from college and he is getting ready to take over the General Manager duties in the near future. So do you really need...

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

...“Entering the Conversation”
Mike Rose’s essay, “Entering the Conversation,” questions the prevailing methods of teaching college level literacy to under-prepared students. The core courses for incoming freshmen “have traditionally served to exclude working-class people from the classroom. It doesn’t, of necessity have to be that way” (12). Rose is trying to prove that an education in the humanities does not have to be exclusive or elitist. Just because remedial students lack literacy skills, it is not through a shortage of intelligence; rather, it is due to poor education and a lack of overall support.
Rose’s parents were Italian immigrants who were both poorly educated. He grew up in South Los Angeles, which is an area characterized by its poverty. As a result of his upbringing, Rose’s top priorities did not include academics. Though he managed to float through highschool unchallenged, Rose was not prepared for the demand of college level courses. When his grades began to dip below a C average, Rose knew that he would need help from his professors outside of class. Because of his educational background, MikeRose was hesitant to visit the faculty for extra help for fear they would view him as “stupid” (11). He soon learned that his teachers encouraged him to seek out help even though it was initially daunting. If Rose did not want to struggle...

...MikeRose, in his essay, “I Just Wanna Be Average”, claims that in order to see reality and reach success one must cut ties with all biases and look at life through a neutral perspective. He supports his claim with a story about how he got rid of the personal bias he had of himself belonging in voc-ed and moved up to college prep. The Authors purpose was to inform readers of his experience in order to help them see how to reach their success with their outlook on reality. Rose establishes a very informed and knowing relationship with the audience and effectively conveys his message. (A1)
In the essay “On Being a Cripple” Nancy Mairs claims that you can only live life to the fullest by breaking free from stereotypes and looking at life without bias. Mairs supports her claim through the story of how she looks at herself and finds what she can do even though she is “handicapped”. Her purpose is to teach us the lessons she learned after being diagnosed with MS in order to give insight on how to live without being bound to stereotypes. The Audience of the piece seems to be anyone who uses or is affected by stereotypes. (B2)
Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his piece, “Self Reliance”, claims that in order to become great and redefine knowledge on must challenge the conventional wisdom of the time with his own unique ideas. Emerson supports his claim through the use of examples of great thinkers such as Plato and...

...democratic state. And, if we are to counter it, it needs to be recognised for what it is and then we need to act to end its influence.
The purpose of this essay is to understand mediocrity, its nature and its consequences.
That purpose too holds within it something of a contradiction; for mediocrity is not a coherent principle, in the sense that it may be advocated by an individual or practically applied to a situation. Certainly it cannot be aspired to. Rather, it is the result of inaction or incompetence.
Thus, its influence is insidious and, once established, it has the ability to cover one’s perception like a veil, giving the adequate the appearance of the outstanding or reducing the exceptional to a dull distraction. And, in doing so, it reinforces its own effect: a vicious circle of lowering expectations and the denigration of the distinguished.
So, while mediocrity’s consequences are plain to see, its influence is more subtle, yet highly infectious. This has implications for any account of it: when mediocrity is full blown, its effects are readily identifiable and its symptoms can be described in detail, but its genetic make-up is more complex to map. And, as it is by nature both invasive and pervasive, it is a contagion that remains particularly difficult to define.
It is for this reason that this essay is written generically and not anchored in current affairs. It is designed to elevate the implied above the obvious, as a...

...﻿I just want to be Average by MikeRose
The essay by MikeRose made me really think about the purpose of education schools have to offer us. He talks about how a basic exam can determine your whole life; it made me really think about how accurate these tests really are. The purpose of this essay seemed to be how he feels students failures isn’t because of us, its because of the school system overall. He shares how the vocational track is basically portrayed as students who are not motivated to learn. The question he makes us think about is, why are these students so unmotivated to learn? He states how for the most part the teachers are the ones who are not motivated enough to teach them. Basically the teachers have to be there because it’s their job, and from the moment of the student’s first grade the teachers automatically think that they’re UN teachable. Students believe whatever the teacher says so they start believing that their stupid and so they wont try. Later on in the book, Rose talks about Jack MacFarland. He descries him as a unique person, because even though he’s a teacher he puts work to make students understand that all teachers are not the same.
1. Roses’ life in Voc.Ed was a nightmare. R he teachers would basically talk to him like he’s retarded. Roses’ teachers were so unmotivated to teach him. They basically gave up on...

...﻿
Tarn Lillard
6.1 short answer
Mr. Rose GS1145
I area of interest in which you'd like to pursue my career is In the electronics sector you could work in roles such as design engineering which is designing a product or component prior to launch or applications engineering which is supporting a product for its entire life. The latest trends in workplace environment is the innovative of product solutions since most of the jobs are overseas it’s better to invent such a product to have patients on such things as cable boxes or processer chips that u invent that way u can work from your home the focus on riche markets and penetration of electronics to new markets such as the cell phones are hard because most of them are produced overseas. Three of the pros with inventing your own product are 1. The money $$$ company’s buy your designs for millions 2. If you do decide to work for a company doing application engineering that’s salary base and they move to where the job is located most of the time and benefits 3. It’s in high demand not just with inventing products but with the automotive field. Three of the cons associated with working as a professional field is that you might not sell your first design until 3 years down the line 2. You might have to relocate which is a plus and a minus because you have to leave what u know be hide and 3.its a very completive field very completive you will all ways be test in...

...anyone who feels they are “average” and also people who want to be more than average. My audience is of both genders and a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
The audience already knows that MikeRose was a misplaced student who was sent on a dead end track for his education. He was then redefined by being placed in college prep courses and blossomed into a very successful writer. I believe anyone who read the core reading can remember a similar time during their education that they didn’t get what they needed from their given curriculum. From the rhetorical analysis, I suspect my readers will want to see ideas to make room for improvement in education. I don’t expect to see any attitudes or biases, as I believe a better education is something everyone can agree on.
My relationship to the audience is that I am a fellow classmate and student. I hope that the audience will trust what I have to say, because we have all experienced a dead end and success at different points in our lives.
I would like everyone to see that there is always room to learn more and that people should not hold themselves to any certain standard for education. Always keep the mind open and be willing to learn as much as possible in life.
The Drive to Succeed
“Students will float to the mark you set,” said MikeRose (Rose 110). Every day students are being held to a lower standard. Not only does this happen at school, but...

...affection reflects. It is an undisputed fact that roses of emotions are the most beautiful form of expression. Roses are precious than other ornamental shrubs because, not only the beauty of flowers is also effective in color. Roses can be classified into three main categories on the basis of meaning of colors: red roses, white roses and yellow roses.
The red roses are the first type of rose that is a symbol of love, romance and passion. In the 18th century, a special rose language evolved as a means of communication between lovers who were forced by society to keep their feelings a secret and the red rose came to symbolize true love that would stand the test of time. Staunchly promising affection that is forever riding high is what the red rose means. The red rose denotes a true love that is stronger than thorns and can outlive all obstacles. The red rose, especially, a single red rose simply expresses, "I love you very deeply". However, bright red roses are interpreted as the ultimate expression of romantic and abiding love. Their bright red shade expresses these emotions...

...circumstances. In Case Scenario: Mike, the young boy seems rational enough to comprehend possible treatment goals. While this is in due part because of a child’s ability to be conditioned more so than an adult who becomes headstrong with age. The client, Mike, would be less resistant when concerning change. Thus the target behavior (s) in relation to Mike’s possible fear of contamination would be: 1. Have Mike acknowledge what he is afraid of out loud before he begins any avoidant/unconventional behaviors. I.E (Mike states that he feels that if he does not clean he will get sick. Begin then to reassure Mike through verbal affirmation that unclean surfaces do not necessarily mean one will become ill.) 2. Show Mike through examples that “fouled” surfaces and disorganized items do not cause an individual harm. I.E (Physically demonstrate to Mike that by touching an unclean object, it will not make one unwell. Then ask Mike to do the same, ideally before any routines would take place.)- Discuss how the target behavior(s) meet the characteristics stated on pgs. 53-54. When one begins to rationalize eccentric patterns and/or thoughts it soon becomes concrete that certain behaviors are unconventional or unnecessary. In Mike’s scenario acknowledging his unusual conduct aids the young boy in being consciously aware of his actions. While awareness is key; it is...